Renting can sometimes leave you wondering where a landlord’s rights stop and your rights as a tenant begin. A rule might feel intrusive or unfair, yet still be allowed under the lease or local law.

The tricky part is that rental laws aren’t the same everywhere. What a landlord can do in one state may be restricted in another, and your lease can also spell out additional rules.

Knowing the difference can save you a lot of frustration. It can also help you ask the right questions before signing a lease and recognize when a landlord really has crossed a legal boundary.

Here are 10 things renters often assume are illegal that may actually be allowed.

Restricting Home Improvements

Renting a home doesn’t give you the same freedom to change it that an owner has. Painting walls, replacing flooring, installing fixtures, or making structural changes may require the landlord’s written approval.

Some leases prohibit certain changes altogether, while others allow them with permission. Before picking up a paintbrush or starting a renovation, read your lease and get approval in writing if it’s required.

Raising the Rent

A rent increase can come as an unpleasant surprise, but landlords are often allowed to raise the rent once a lease term ends.

The rules depend heavily on location. Some cities and states have rent-control or rent-stabilization laws that limit increases, while other areas give landlords much more flexibility.

Notice requirements also vary. A landlord usually can’t change the rent in the middle of a fixed-term lease unless the lease itself allows for it or another legal exception applies.

Entering Your Unit With Proper Notice

Your rental may be your home, but the landlord still has certain rights to access the property.

Landlords can often enter for things such as repairs, maintenance, inspections, or showing the unit to prospective renters or buyers. The amount of notice required depends on state and local law, and emergencies may allow entry without advance notice.

If you’re unsure about the rules where you live, check your local tenant laws rather than relying on what a friend or another renter tells you.

Conducting Routine Inspections

A landlord may have the right to inspect the rental periodically, particularly if the lease permits it and proper notice is provided.

Inspections can help identify leaks, damage, safety concerns, maintenance issues, or possible lease violations. They may feel intrusive, but an inspection itself isn’t necessarily a violation of your privacy.

The timing, frequency, and notice requirements can vary, so check the terms of your lease and applicable laws.

Requiring Certain Window Coverings

Some rental properties have rules about what tenants can use as window coverings. A landlord or property manager may prohibit things such as blankets, cardboard, sheets, or other makeshift coverings.

These rules can be related to the appearance of the property, building standards, or preventing damage to windows and frames.

It may seem like a minor issue, but if the lease contains a rule about window coverings, ignoring it could still create a problem.

Prioritizing Repair Requests

Not every repair needs to be handled on the same schedule. A broken heating system during freezing weather is likely to receive far more immediate attention than a chipped cabinet or worn paint.

Landlords generally have legal duties regarding certain health and safety problems, but cosmetic issues and minor inconveniences may take longer.

If a repair affects your ability to safely use the rental, document the problem and notify the landlord in writing. Keep copies of maintenance requests in case the issue isn’t addressed.

Refusing Certain Pets

A landlord can often set rules about pets in a rental property. Those rules may include weight restrictions, limits on the number of animals, breed restrictions, pet fees, or a complete ban on pets.

There are important exceptions. Assistance animals may be protected under federal or state laws, and housing providers may have obligations that don’t apply to ordinary household pets.

If you need an assistance animal, don’t assume a standard no-pet rule settles the matter. Housing protections can work differently for assistance animals than they do for pets.

Not Disclosing Previous Deaths in the Home

Many people assume a landlord has to tell every prospective tenant if someone previously died in the property. That’s not a universal rule.

Some states have laws addressing death disclosures, while others don’t require landlords to volunteer the information. The circumstances can also matter, such as how long ago the death occurred or the circumstances surrounding it.

If this is something you’re concerned about, check the laws in your state and ask directly before signing a lease.

Staying Silent About Past Bedbug Problems

Bedbug disclosure rules vary from state to state and can also depend on the circumstances.

Some jurisdictions place disclosure or treatment duties on landlords, while others have fewer requirements regarding previous infestations. A landlord may also have different obligations if there is an active infestation when you move in.

If you’re worried about bedbugs, inspect the unit before moving in and ask the landlord about any known history. Put important questions and answers in writing whenever possible.

Not Mentioning Flood Risks

A rental property’s flood history or location in a flood-prone area may not always have to be disclosed by the landlord.

Disclosure requirements differ by state, and some locations have much stronger rules than others. A property can also be outside a high-risk flood zone while still experiencing flooding.

If you’re considering a rental in an area prone to heavy rain or flooding, check local flood maps and ask questions before signing the lease. Renters insurance may also have limits or exclusions for flood damage, so check the policy rather than assuming your belongings are covered.

Rental Laws Depend on Where You Live

The biggest thing to keep in mind is that there isn’t one set of rental rules for every tenant in the country. State laws, city ordinances, and your lease can all affect what a landlord is allowed to do.

If something feels wrong, don’t assume it’s legal just because a landlord says it is. At the same time, don’t assume a frustrating rule is illegal just because you dislike it. Check the lease and the tenant laws that apply to your specific location before deciding what to do next.